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McEleney scored what turned out to be the crucial third goal in Tuesday night's 3-2 victory over Derry City - a result that provided Dundalk with an unassailable lead over nearest rivals Cork.

He looked back to near his best but admits that it took time to get back to that level.

"It was like a pre-season for me coming in and trying to compete against the best as they are the fittest, strongest squad," he admitted.

"I felt 'oh my God, I'm miles off it', but it was down to that break that I had in England when I wasn't playing.

"The team was flying but now I have got my head down, just plugged away.

"I'm getting there slowly even though we are coming towards the end of the season."

Encouragingly for Dundalk, the understanding between McEleney and Michael Duffy, the team's two most creative players, is almost at a perfect pitch again ahead of tonight's FAI Cup semi-final clash with UCD.

"I've lost two FAI Cup finals - the first on penalties in 2016 and then with the last kick of the extra time last season," said McEleney.

"You obviously always think about it and we'll be looking to set it right.

"There's a big semi-final and final to win but we're not going to look past UCD. They're flying and won their league and clearly have a winning mentality.